Here’s my problem with the prop (both yours and the one that was actually ran, given that they’re pretty similar): in the status quo, violence towards minorities is a product (indeed, an extreme one) of prejudice. Prejudice leads to distrust of the minority, which leads to some extremists resorting to violence and others to implicitly consent to discrimination etc, as in both instances minorities are seen to have ‘deserved’ their treatment given the prejudicial traits attached to them. Importantly, these minorities are already seen as in-groups conspiring against the majority (see various zionist and islamist conspiracy theories). If the minorities are removed from the public sphere, there will not be anyone to disprove the current myths that lead to people distrusting them. However, the right-wing extremists who have devoted so much time and effort into attacking these minorities (politically or otherwise) and often have a political incentive to continue doing so, given the political platform that has shot UKIP and Front National into prominence which has proven extremely successful, will most likely not drop the issue of cultural homogeneity at the expense of minorities changing their culture and feeling more at ease with this – it’s probably more likely that the extremists will be encouraged by this decision. So you end up with emboldened right-wing extremists and fewer people who can change the perception of the majority, which will probably harm these people’s safety as well as attempts to integrate.

Then again, I couldn’t have propped this better than you, so kudos!

/Gillis, St Andrews B

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Comment on Croatian Joe – Zagreb Day 5 by DavidC https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/croatian-joe-zagreb-day-5/#comment-439
Sat, 23 Aug 2014 11:04:00 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/croatian-joe-zagreb-day-5/#comment-439THBT the leaders of religious minorities in Europe should encourage their congregation not to practice their faith publicly

The main prop case rests on the idea that this is a measure to protect those religious minorities. With the recent rise of extremist right wing groups in Europe religious minorities which are often comprised of immigrants or ethnic minorities and can be seen as changing the established dominant culture could become victims of violence. A reduction of public activities on part of these religions would cause them to drop from the view of the public and any organizations that might want to harm them. Given that Europe is largely secular any minority religion that has a large public image would stand out easily.

Second point. Most terrorist attacks on Europe have been religiously motivated in a way or another. The subway attacks on Madrid and London are widely believed to have been perpetrated by Islamist groups. This measure would cause the more radical groups within these religious congregations to become more outspoken and reactive allowing European security forces to create a shortlist of people to have in terrorist watch. The fact that these measures might be the cause for the radicalization would be glossed over and if it’s brought up later one should say that radical groups have existed within these minorities as seen by the acts of terrorism previously mentioned.

Third point, or rather, general strategy. I would mangle the debate a bit and define publicly very vaguely. Rather than saying that they should not go to their places of worship, or that they should not talk about their faith publicly, or similar semi-public activities, I would just say that they might want to try to blend in more, and not have large festivals or events that might attract too much attention. This means that privately talking to others about their faith, having religious meetings, and participating in the general community would not be limited. Its problematic if you add in clothes though, if you consider the Sikh religion or others that have obvious external signs that can’t be removed. I’m sure that this doesn’t give anyone much room to talk about anything and hurts the general debate but since prop is very limited and the proposition is opp heavy it even the odds.

my two main points pretty much contradict each other so I don’t know how valid it is as a prop case, but its interesting nonetheless.

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Comment on WUDC Worlds Chennai 2014 by Mike https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/wudc-worlds-chennai-2014/#comment-419
Wed, 08 Jan 2014 18:01:11 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/?p=1226#comment-419Jet lag suxxx, we’ve all been there before. Great that all was good with your rooms.
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Comment on Off to the Beach… by Duncan Crowe https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/off-to-the-beach/#comment-418
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 05:36:54 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/?p=1331#comment-418I’m glad Ben yielded to my insistence he had to wear one, but that reminds me: did you give me it back? Where’s my UDS bowtie Badams?
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Comment on Alex Don’s attempt at a post….it’s quite a Donner by Karla https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/alex-dons-attempt-at-a-post-its-quite-a-donner/#comment-417
Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:29:03 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/?p=1311#comment-417Congratulations guys! Best of luck tomorrow, and know that regardless of how you do that we are all so proud of you.

Fingers are crossed for you here in Canada.

To Alex: I’m not sure if the blushing induced by your sappy P. S. is quite enough to overcome the irritation of you institutionalizing K-dawg to such a degree, but I promise to think about it…

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Comment on Alex Don’s attempt at a post….it’s quite a Donner by kmacdonaldrussell https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/alex-dons-attempt-at-a-post-its-quite-a-donner/#comment-416
Thu, 02 Jan 2014 22:20:01 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/?p=1311#comment-416(Assuming I’m the K-dawg in question, and that you have chosen this forum to publicise the hiphop nickname that Leela invented, for which obviously there will be some kind of punishment…)

We miss you too – only earlier this evening, we were merrily reminiscing about extracting you guys, by force of earlobe, from the yakka party with the promise of One Glass of Wine. Happy days. Good luck tomorrow!

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Comment on Break Day Room Service by Jack https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/break-day-room-service/#comment-415
Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:26:56 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/break-day-room-service/#comment-415too good
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Comment on Chennai: this generation’s Botswana? by Ed https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/chennai-this-generations-botswana/#comment-414
Tue, 31 Dec 2013 10:19:28 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/?p=1275#comment-414Apologies, mate, I thought it was the independent adjudicators! (I.e. Those who can most likely put this on their McKensey expenses account) Obv didn’t mean to persecute world university debating students who are indeed, as you very astutely noted, an extremely indebted section of society.
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Comment on Chennai: this generation’s Botswana? by Jason (@jalestro) https://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/chennai-this-generations-botswana/#comment-413
Tue, 31 Dec 2013 04:17:55 +0000http://standrewsdebates.wordpress.com/?p=1275#comment-413The TPP is an odd choice for a motion. It’s a huge issue from a copyright, patent, net neutrality, privacy and transparent government POV (all talks are conducted behind closed doors without any access to interested parties or, you know, the public).

So, ostensibly, it’s a great and pertinent issue to discuss. The problem is, that even people in the countries discussing it aren’t very aware of what it is. And no one is totally sure what is involved in the treaty since, as I mentioned, all discussion and negotiation is completely secret. There have been some leaks of early drafts, which is why we know it’s a huge problem in a lot of ways, but what it actually entails or what it will actually mean if it is ever finalised and ratified no one really knows.

Also, the TPP is an agreement between only 12 countries and though it will have far reaching global effects, if concluded, it is unlikely that many people outside of those countries have ever heard of it. (I know most of my YouTube subscribers had never heard of it until I mentioned it in a video about the Electronic Frontier Foundation and their work on the subject and my subscribers are generally Canadian, American and Australian – all of whom are part of the negotiations) http://youtu.be/9TcBbsjchuc (if you’re curious) [/shameless self promotion]